Football: Banks 35, Central 15

Banks 35, Central 15: Banks won its fifth consecutive game, defeating the visiting Panthers of Independence in the Class 4A play-in round. Seniors Dakota Kemper, Zach Olson and Graysen Partain powered the offense for Banks (7-4). Kemper rushed for 219 yards and two touchdowns on 40 attempts. Olson reached the endzone three times — on 23-yard, 44-yard and 19-yard passes from Partain. The duo also connected for a six-yard pass/reception. Partain finished with eight completions on 11 attempts for 137 yards. Banks held a 28-point lead at halftime. Junior quarterback Ben Finnegan gave Central (4-5) an offensive push in the third quarter. Finnegan connected with senior Kelton Chapman for a seven-yard touchdown and with sophomore Wesley Riddell for the two-point conversion. The junior quarterback then followed the scoring drive with another seven-yard touchdown with senior David Powell. Banks’ 28-point lead dropped to 13 after the drives led by Finnegan, but Partain’s third touchdown connection with Olson put the game out of hand for the Panthers. 